Ontario fast-tracking public coverage for new drugs targeting six cancers – CTV
January 22, 2026
The Ontario government says it is fast-tracking the rollout of five “breakthrough” cancer drugs to treat six different illnesses through a pilot program meant to speed up coverage for Ontarians.
Through the Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program – a three-year pilot program – Ontarians will get coverage to new drugs for lung, prostate, liver and colorectal cancers, as well as leukemia and lymphoma.
“For every Ontarian facing a cancer diagnosis, timely access to high-quality treatment can make all the difference,” Health Minister Sylvia Jones said. “Through the FAST program, we’re accelerating access to life-saving therapies across the province, bringing hope, peace of mind, and transformative care to those who need it most.”
The new drugs include Tagrisso, Scemblix, Nubeqa, Calquence, and Opdivo with Yervoy. They became available to Ontario patients through the FAST program in October 2025.
Some of the drugs on the list have been approved in Canada for nearly a decade, but they were not fully covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit plan.
